Structural Engineers Foundation (SEF)

The Structural Engineers Foundation is an independent, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to one goal: the advancement of structural engineering. To attain this goal, and thus prepare for tomorrow's horizons, the SEF has committed itself to sponsoring and funding scholarships, lectures, awards, publications and research - all aimed at improving structural engineers and structural engineering.

SEF Research Grant

The Structural Engineers Foundation (SEF) is proud to offer a grant to partially fund research efforts in the structural engineering or related fields for the 2017-2018 academic year. The SEF recognizes the importance of research to the future of the structural engineering field and profession, and offers this grant to provide assistance in a selected research endeavor. The offered grant is a one-time, fixed sum of $2500.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2017-2018 Research Grant. Complete eligibility requirements and application instructions can be found on the Research Grant Information & Application Form. All materials must be received in the SEAOI office byNovember 3, 2017.

SEF Scholarship Awards

The Foundation strongly believes that the future of structural engineering depends on today's students. Without them and their vision, there literally is no future for our profession. The Structural Engineers Foundation is privileged to provide merit-based tuition scholarships to encourage undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in structural engineering programs.

Four scholarship categories are available:

Undergraduate engineering scholarship, for students who will be entering the third or above year of an undergraduate program during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Graduate engineering scholarship, intended for students who will be entering or continuing a graduate program during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Max Zar Scholarship, awarded to an outstanding student pursuing his or her engineering studies in the State of Illinois

Rubinos-Mesia Scholarship, named for Teresa Mesia Rubinos and Jacinto Rubinos, awarded to an outstanding engineering student of Hispanic descent

For all categories, applicants must be currently enrolled in good standing in a civil engineering program or architectural engineering program at a recognized university in the United States and plan to continue with a structural engineering specialization.

Applications must be received in the SEAOI office by Monday, April 30, 2018.

SEF is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2017–18 Scholarship Awards.

The Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded to Matthew Carsello of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Matt is the Publicity Chair for the ASCE Student Chapter, and the Ecuador Water Proejct Lead for the UIUC Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. Assistant Professor Frank Lombardo notes Matt’s “solid technical background and skills” as well as his commitment to service. Matt writes, “I am incredibly grateful to be the recipient of the Structural Engineers Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship… I will be able to dedicate more energy and effort as a leader in my activities, organizations, and research to try and connect with as many aspiring and professional engineers as I can to help build the community around me into a better place.”

The Graduate Scholarship is awarded to Kate Cuddington of Stanford University. Kate was recognized as the SWE Outstanding Woman in Engineering & Technology in 2017, and served on the College of Architecture & Environmental Design Strategic Core Planning Committee. Professor Allen Estes, department head for Cal Poly Architectural Engineering, enthusiastically described Kate as “a highly intelligent and dedicated scholar who has been involved win many activities beyond academics to include humanitarian aid, college ambassador, and leadership in our most active SEAOC student club.” Kate writes, “I am so honored to have been selected as the 2017 SEF Graduate Scholarship recipient...I will be able to create a focus for my degree, by taking courses in seismic retrofitting and rehabilitation… [which]will allow me to contribute substantively to solving problems, creating innovative solutions, designing with aesthetic value, and helping people improve the safety and quality of their lives.”

The Max Zar Scholarship (open to students attending Illinois universities) is awarded to Joseluis Alvarez of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Joseluis is a member of SEAOI, ASCE, ACI, and AISC, and is currently interning at WJE’s Chicago office. Clinical Associate Professor Mustafa Mahamid praises Joseluis as “one of the few students that are interested in the larger picture, always working hard and exceeding the expectation of his professors.” Joseluis writes, “I cannot express the depth of gratitude I have to the SEF for making these scholarships possible. As a young engineer, the start of my career is full of excitement and with the aid provided by this scholarship I am able to facilitate my learning objectives both in graduate school and at work… I can assure that programs like this successfully encourage students with a passion for structural engineering to better themselves as engineers and better the practice of this profession overall.”

The Rubinos and Mesia Scholarship (open to students of Hispanic descent) is awarded to Daniel Gaspar-Rodriguez of the University of California – Berkeley. Daniel is the recipient of the Fulbright Garcia-Robles International Grant, among others. Professor Jack P. Moehle, Chair in Structural Engineering, gave his highest recommendations, stating: “I strongly believe that Daniel will make the most out of the valuable resource that this grant represents, enabling him to focus fully on his project… and preparing him for additional coursework and the preparation of journal publications on his research findings in the following semesters.” Daniel writes, “I am deeply honored to have been selected as the recipient of this prestigious award. This scholarship will allow me to devote myself to the research I'm conducting at UC Berkeley…As practicing structural engineers, we only get to be graduate students for a brief moment. It’s funny how we gain exposure to the most complete sources of information during this short period of time, even if we are still too young and unexperienced to fully grasp their value. Therefore, I thank the Structural Engineering Foundation for giving me the opportunity to stick around a little longer until I find the right questions to ask of all the amazing experts and academics that surround me.”

SEF ACTIVITIES

Scholarships:

The Foundation strongly believes that the future of structural engineering depends on today's students. Without them and their vision, there literally is no future for our profession. The Structural Engineers Foundation is privileged to provide merit tuition scholarships to encourage undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in structural engineering programs.

Sponsored Lectures

The Structural Engineers Foundation sponsors lectures in April and November designed to broaden the mind and heighten awareness of excellence in structural engineering. Foundation-sponsored lectures by prominent leaders in the field of structural engineering keep attendees informed with vital cutting-edge information.

Awards

SEF bestows awards and honors to recognize outstanding achievements. The John F. Parmer Award is presented annually by SEF and SEAOI. This award, in recognition of lifelong contributions in the field of structural engineering, is presented to an individual whose distinguished career is acknowledged by his or her peers to be an example of excellence.

Research

SEF understands the importance of research, knowing that it advances our profession by broadening its horizons and expanding our knowledge base. The Foundation offers grants to support graduate and post-graduate research projects.

Celebrate the winners of the Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards and the recipients of SEAOI's Special Awards.

OUTREACH

Model Builders Needed!

SEAOI is urgently looking for volunteers to build models to use at events promoting awareness of structural engineering among school-age children.

Using hands-on, interactive models is a fun and effective way to present structural engineering concepts and systems to young students, their parents, and the general public that attend these type of events. While allowing for interactive exploration, some models are very simple, others are more complex.

As we expand our library of models, we are looking for volunteers to create new models or recreate and enhance some of the existing models that we have used over the years. These models are the centerpiece of our engagement with the students and a means to spark their imagination and curiosity while providing tidbits of education.

You can build the model(s) by yourself or together with a group of your friends or co-workers. Either way your help is greatly appreciated.

If you can help or would like to learn more about this effort, please contact SEAOI. We would love to tell you more about it and share additional information on possible model ideas and themes as well as tips and photos of existing models and of previous events (showing the models in use).